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David McK (3731 KP) rated All Star Superman in Books

Jan 28, 2019 (Updated Oct 19, 2025)  
All Star Superman
All Star Superman
Frank Quitely, Grant Morrison | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
4
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
While I initially thought that this was going to be a self-contained story in its own right, upon having read it I now think that this is instead a compilation of a (roughly) 12 issue long comic run.

Some of the episodes, I felt, were far superior to others: in some (perhaps more than I was comfortable with), I didn't really follow what was happening.
There is an over-arching plot throughout the entire series, with Superman 'overpowering' himself with solar radiation in the opening of the first episode, and with his body beginning to fail as a result.

I also found the art-style slightly off-putting: I can understand drawing the man of steel in a square/blocky 'strong' art style, but ma and pa Kent? Really?

Perhaps not the best of introductions for anybody new to Superman comics.
  
The Good Sister
The Good Sister
Sally Hepworth | 2021 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Philosophy, Psychology & Social Sciences
6
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A predictable yet oddly thrilling read
Fern and Rose are extremely close sisters and incredibly dependent on one other. Rose has always been the responsible one and Fern, with her sensory-processing issues, the one people look at a bit oddly. Their mother was abusive, scarring Rose, who saw through to her true nature. Fern, who always looks to the good side of people, remembers her more fondly. But Rose has always protected her sister, especially since, as children, Fern did something horrible. Rose has faithfully kept her sister's secret, even though both girls wonder if it made Fern a terrible person. Now Rose and her husband are having trouble conceiving. Fern realizes she could finally do something for Rose: give her a child. However, Rose worries that Fern could make some disastrous choices if pregnant, just as she did so many years ago.

"Most people think of me as Fern's protector. But the truth is, in her own funny way, she's always been mine."

This is an excellent book in terms of the page-turner element. I was madly flipping the pages. It is especially remarkable because the story was actually fairly predictable. I kept waiting for some big twist, but I felt the plot was pretty well telegraphed from the beginning.

What kept me spellbound was the characters, particularly Fern. There was just something about her--you couldn't help but become attached. The cast here is small: the sisters, Rose's husband, Fern's acquaintance Wally, but they are quite well-drawn. Hepworth does a fantastic job with the two sisters, both depicting their childhood and then their current state, as Fern becomes determined to do something for Rose, her long-time protector, and Rose struggles with what Fern's choice means.

It's best to go into this one blind. To me, the story felt pretty straightforward and nothing really surprising happened, but it was still well-written and exciting. Yes, I would have loved a great twist or two to push this thriller from good into great territory. I still think it's worth a read, though, especially if you don't read a ton of mysteries and are more likely to be surprised. The relationship and dynamic between Fern and Rose is really worth a read by itself. 3 stars.
  
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Merissa (13860 KP) rated Made to Submit (La Trattoria Di Amore #3) in Books

Apr 30, 2021 (Updated Jul 27, 2023)  
Made to Submit (La Trattoria Di Amore #3)
Made to Submit (La Trattoria Di Amore #3)
JP Sayle | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
MADE TO SUBMIT is the third book in the La Trattoria Di Amore series. Although characters from previous books are mentioned, you don't need to have read them, to get this the fullest enjoyment out of this one.

We start off with Paolo at fifteen. He has a crush on one of the chefs working with his dad, which is one of the things that gives him a clue he's gay. Overhearing a conversation between his crush and someone else talking about BDSM makes him curious enough to look into it. Fast forward a few years, and he's working with his crush... who has no idea who he is. Not only that but he's now married. Paolo is heartbroken, sure that he is in love with Carl. Enter Kaden. He is physically attracted to Paolo but is very wary considering he knows about the crush. And then the story really takes off!

I can't tell you just how much I loved this story (although I'll obviously try!). Paolo and Kaden are so perfect for each other. What one needs, the other provides, without even really thinking about it but just doing it. Due to his past, Kaden needs control. Paolo is desperate to have control taken away from him, in every aspect of his life. These two really made my heart happy.

I'm going to be honest here and say that Carl, who is in book two which I haven't read, doesn't really come across that well. Bless him, I know he's busy with his own life, but is he that wrapped up that he didn't even take a double glance when Paolo started working there? How many Italians with the first name of Paolo does he know? I'm with Kaden all the way.

This was a brilliant story, with a fantastic supporting cast. The only question I have is what is the title of Lenny and Nathan's book? I need to read that one too!!! The pacing was perfect, the characters were wonderful, and the overall story kept my attention from the very beginning.

Absolutely recommended by me!

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 30, 2021
  
    The Message Bible (MSG)

    The Message Bible (MSG)

    Book and Education

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

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    This is not a study Bible, but rather "a reading Bible." For more than two years, Eugene Peterson...

Vampire's Queens (The Bloodline Chronicles 3)
Vampire's Queens (The Bloodline Chronicles 3)
Evelyn Silver | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
well played with the leak!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 3 in the Bloodline Chronicles, and you cannot read it as a stand alone. You MUST read book 1, Witch's Knight and book 2, Midnight Fear before this one. There is MUCH that is not recapped and you will need to know about this vampire society and how it works.

I 4 starred books one and 2 and this is another solid 4 star read. I thoroughly enjoyed them!

Sarai, Setanta and Marcelle are ruling as a throuple. Sarai is pregnant, MArcelle is trying to work out who is tipping the Vasri off before they get there, and Setanta is doing King stuff (not actually sure WHAT he was doing for most of the book, to be honest!) But there are those who want them gone, and they will go to great lengths to make that happen.

Couple things: I said in my review for book 2, something about Sarai's sister. There was no mention of a sister here, so I'm not sure what THAT point was about!

Again, Setanta is only given a minor (1 or 2 chapters) voice. I needed him, I really did. Had he been given a bigger voice, I think this book would have been a much better read. (not that it isn't already but it would have been BETTER!)

Sarai's pregnancy threw up some surprises that no one saw coming and I loved that as old as they are, Marcelle and Setanta had not much clue how to help!
 
I did NOT see who the leak was coming at me, I really did not! I just about threw my kindle across the room in that chapter!! So very well played there Ms Silver, VERY well played.

It's quite violent in places, fighting a shape shifting dragon with was never going to be a walk in the park!

I found the steam levels a bit higher than in previous books, but not by much. I think it was because the one scene between all three partners was more sweet than smexy and I really loved that Setanta and Marcelle were mindful of Sarai's pregnancy, while still providing her with what she needed from them. The "birthday party" for Sarai, while multi person (6, I think) I thought was well written but not especially explicit. Some FF scenes, as well as multi partner scenes, with every which way combination of male and female partners.

What I need now is something else from this author! Given as I can only find this series by Ms Silver, I need more and I need not to have to wait a whole year!

I wrote 4 stars in an earlier line, I do love it when a book talks itself into . . .

5 full and shiny stars!

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Midnight Heist (Outlaws #1)
Midnight Heist (Outlaws #1)
Katherine McIntyre | 2021 | Crime, LGBTQ+, Romance, Thriller
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fabulous start to this series, and to Ms McIntyre's MM path. Keep em coming!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Grif needs to infiltrate Dan Torres' company to ruin it. But one look at Dan and Grif knows he's all kinds of innocent, but equally dangerous. Dan knows there's something bad going on in his company, now he's taken over from his father, but the Board is all old men stuck with old opinions and old ways. When Dan finds out what Grif has planned, he sees it as a perfect way to get what he wants. But what happens after?

So! Ms McIntyre is a firm favourite with me, her paranormal books have been mostly 4 and 5 stars but I didn't much care for her Discord series. This one, though??

Brilliant! It really does hit THAT spot, you know? The one that you don't know needs hitting but when it does, it goes BOOM and you start to lose track of the time and the next thing you know, you've done sod all this afternoon but read a brilliant book!

The attraction between Grif and Dan is instant and powerful and burns bright and so freaking hawt throughout the book. They both they should NOT be doing this, but neither can stay away. They KNOW that this will lead them down a dangerous and, quite probably, deadly path but both of them are prepared to risk it. And they DO risk it, once it all comes out and everyone knows what's going on.

It's quite clear who the bad guy is at the company, what's not so clear is how far up it goes, how far it's spread and who else is involved. It's STILL not clear, to be honest!

I loved the team of Outlaws! Scarlet, especially. Sometimes, Scarlet is a she, and sometimes Scarlet is a he. I got a little confused at first, and thought it a typo, but when it happens a couple of times, I figured that's just Scarlet, you know? I loved how Dan and Leo, his best friend, slot so beautifully into the team. And maybe, just maybe, there are a few clues to whose story might be next. These guys are deadly, and they make no apologises for that, but what they do is get the bad guys and they do it the best way they how, from the inside out. Anyone who gets in their way, well, silly of them really!

I found myself waiting for the L word. I kept thinking, its-a-coming, any mintue now, and it doesn't and I LOVED that it doesn't! Grif and Dan aren't really the lovey-dovey sort. Oh, there is love here, it's quite clear from the things they feel for each other, don't get me wrong, but it's not VOICED and I think when they DO voice that word, its gonna be spectacular!

Fabulous start to this series, and to Ms McIntyre's MM path. Keep em coming!

5 full and shiny stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
A Court of Thorns and Roses
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas | 2015 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.7 (108 Ratings)
Book Rating
I put of reading this book for a while, but for multiple reasons. The first was my concern that it wouldn’t live up to the expectations I had because of Throne of Glass. The second was because I didn’t want to read the first two books months before the last (at least for this half of the series) came out so I wasn’t waiting and obsessing.

I’m glad I waited because now I only have to wait about three weeks for the third book to come out after I finish the second one (if I finish it on the schedule I have planned).

I didn’t hate this book, but neither would I say that I loved it. It was good yes, but I think there is something missing and there are a few other problems that I want to talk about as well.

First, I want to talk about Feyre (pronounced Fay-ruh if you were wondering) and the sort of indifference I started feeling towards her just a little past halfway through the book. At first I liked her, doing what she can to survive while also getting very hateful feelings from her family, but determined to keep the promise she made to her unloving mother. She did what she could, but wasn’t as perfect to have all these amazing skills she was somehow able to teach herself. It was realistic in a way. Then, in the middle, I still liked her but didn’t understand some of the actions that she took. It wasn’t explained well enough in the book to be reasonable. And in the end, well, there wasn’t really much too really like or hate. It was as if Feyre started to disappear, and I had no feelings one way or the other.

The passing of time in this book was strange, but it does come right out and say, ‘three months after this event happened’ and it makes it clear. But sometimes it felt like it jumped weeks ahead without much explanation.

I do like some things of course, such as Tamlin and Lucien and many of the other fae. It was fun learning about them, their culture, the things that they went through, and eventually learning what the curse was all about (though it might be easy to guess).

But what exactly did I like about it? I can’t find any particular examples, mostly just the overall feeling of the book, the plot, and the characters, at least for the most part.

I know I’ve probably said more bad than good things but I willing give this book four stars. The reasons I’m not giving more is because the mild indifference I felt towards pieces of the book, and others I won’t mention in fear of spoiling it for everyone.
  
HT
Hit the Ground Running
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Eric Bakker has just received a cryptic message from his brother, Michael, about the disappearance of their parents. Now Michael is also missing, but who can Eric trust to help him with all of this. Michael says to trust no one. Eric is away at boarding school and hasn't made too many friends. What is he going to do to find his family?

Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Moon Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Hit the Ground Running had me hooked from the start. I read almost 1/2 the book on the first day. This is a faced paced novel that leaves you wanting more. Imagine your parents dumping you in a boarding school in Canada for no good reason and uprooting you from the home you've always known. Eric isn't sure why his family made the move to Canada or why he has to go to this school. He tries to stick to himself as much as possible. But when he needs help to find his family, who can he trust to help him. While contemplating his situation, he runs into Tess another student from the school, and she thinks she may have a way to help him. Can he trust her? Will he be able to find his brother and his parents before it's too late?

This is the first book in a trilogy. The end leaves you hanging so you will want to read the next book. I can't wait for it to be released.
  
DS
Darkwater Secrets (Darkwater Inn #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's been some time since I read a Caroll novel. I wasn't sure what I would think of this one, diving into it after so long away from her work. However, once I sat down, opened the book, and dived in, I was very surprised! I was instantly captivated and taken to the heart of New Orleans, and was taken on a whirl wind roller coaster ride of ups, downs, twists and turns during this suspenseful, read! That's trademark Caroll fashion, if you ask me. 

The Darkwater Inn has characters that are chiseled just right for their roles. The emotions they felt, I could feel as my own. The plot line that they are in, is intense and had me on the edge of my seat on more than one occasion. I was turning each page, needing to know what was happening next. When I found out? Oh, you'll just need to grab this book up and see for yourself what I read, what I felt, and what the characters went through in the French Quarter. 

Mrs. Caroll has created another book that is worthy of 4 stars and high recommendations. If you want an edge of your seat, suspenseful novel full of twists and turns, then grab this one up now. I can't wait to see what she has in store for her fans in book 2! Well done, Mrs. Caroll. Well done. 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*